ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book establishes a theoretical framework of Chinese intersectionality based on a critical review of research on the women's movement, violence against women, state, and market; on the interaction between Western and Chinese feminism; and on the dislocation of Confucianism in current violence studies. It charts the dating landscape and love geography in Beijing and discusses the power struggles in dating relationships. The distinction between Beijingers and waidiren serves as a framework to examine the cultural and socio-economic differentiation of dating practices. The book focuses on the verbal, physical and psychological violence in dating relationships, with a particular emphasis on women's aggression. It describes how young people do their gender, challenge the gender hegemony, and justify women's aggression as socially acceptable. The book illustrates the social transformation of femininity and masculinity from the Maoist Era to the Post-socialist Era.
